Correspondence

The Donagh McDonagh papers consist of correspondence and manuscripts covering the years 1936-1963.

The Correspondence series contains letters McDonagh received from fellow writers and friends, including 15 letters from T.S. Eliot.

The Writings series includes corrected typescripts of 2 of MacDonagh’s plays; corrected proofs of a volume of poetry; and a typescript of an English translation of Max Brod’s theater adaptation of Franz Kafka’s novel, the Castle. Also of interest is MacDonagh thesis on “TS Eliot as Poet” (1939). The thesis has marginal notes by Eliot.

The collection also held McDonagh’s personal library of some 150 books, which contains many first editions (including 3 inscribed first editions of T.S. Eliot’s works and a presentation copy of Thomas Kinsella’s Moralities) and imprints of the Cuala Press and Dolmen Press. The books have been cataloged in integrated into the library’s Rare Book Collection. MacDonagh’s books were often not in good condition but many ephemeral materials such as reviews and letters (some from well-known authors) were inserted in them.